Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin and, unlike water-soluble nutrients, it can be stored in the liver, kidney and other tissues. For this reason, symptoms of deficiency appear slowly. It is a heat-resistant vitamin. It does not disappear by heating or cooking.
It contains the mineral cobalt and is therefore known as cobalamin. It is taken with food and produced by bacteria in the large intestine. Vitamin B12 taken with food combines with the protein called intrinsic factor released from the stomach and is absorbed from the small intestine. It is carried in the portal circulation by transcobalamin.
What does vitamin B12 do?
Vitamin B12 ensures the maturation of the cell nucleus. In particular, it directly affects the maturation of blood cells. It is also necessary for the function of nerve cells. It prevents anemia. It is necessary for protein synthesis, carbohydrate and fat metabolism. It prevents nerve damage. It ensures fertility.
It ensures cell formation and longevity. It helps strengthen memory and learning. It is necessary for intelligence development in children.
Causes of B12 deficiency?
1)Insufficient dietary intake
It develops as a result of a decrease in the level in breast milk due to a vegetarian diet, poor socioeconomic conditions, inadequate nutrition of the mother during pregnancy, or pernicious anemia in the mother.
2) Disorder in the absorption of cobalamin.
a) IF deficiency
Congenital IF mutation, pernicious anemia, gastric mucosa disease (chronic gastritis,
H.pylori gastritis, corrosive substance, gastrectomy, Zolinger Ellison syndrome)
b) Malabsorption from IB
Ileal resection, blind bowel syndrome, parasites, malabsorption, cobalamin malabsorption
malabsorption
c) Transport disruption
Milmi E is caused by stomach acid. Vitamin B 12 deficiency is more common after the age of 60 as stomach acid decreases.
What are the sources of vitamin B12?
The main source of vitamin B12 is animal foods, and many animal foods are rich in this vitamin.
Beef, liver, kidney, milk, eggs, cheese and fish B 12 They are the main foods containing vitamin B.
Fish roe is the food containing the most vitamin B 12. It is among the branches. It is also abundant in mackerel, salmon, sardines and tuna.
Lamb liver, beef, veal, turkey, duck and foie gras are the meat products richest in B 12.
What are the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?
In vitamin B12 deficiency, pallor, mild jaundice, shortness of breath, palpitations There may be symptoms of anemia such as.
Loss of sensation and position sense in the arms and legs.
Unexplained numbness, numbness in the arms and legs, changes in consciousness, unsteady walking, Vitamin B12 deficiency should be suspected if there are neurological signs and symptoms such as unexplained psychiatric disorders and dementia findings in the elderly.
Growth retardation, loss of appetite, lack of interest in the environment and tremors may be observed in children.
Elderly people with poor nutrition and neuropsychiatric findings, people who have been vegetarian for a long time, people who have had stomach or small intestine surgery, people who use PPI or H2 receptor blockers for a long time, people with inflammatory bowel disease, vitamin B 12 They are at risk for deficiency.
Vitamin B12 deficiency treatment
Vitamin B12 deficiency treatment is in the form of vitamin B12 ampoules or tablets. is applied. The important thing is to monitor the response to treatment and ensure that the appropriate dose of vitamin B 12 is given.
The duration of treatment is determined according to the cause. If it is due to insufficient dietary intake or a correctable cause, age-appropriate daily vitamin B 12 intake is provided after the deficiency symptoms resolve.
If treatment of the underlying disease is not possible or if the patient has cobalamin metabolism disorder, lifelong vitamin B12 intake is provided. It is recommended to use vitamin 12.
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